Ore pulverizer



March 25, 1941.

J. C. THURMAN 2,235,968

ORE PULVERIZER Filed June 17, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l 4r ro @NEX March 25, 1941. Q THURMAN 2,235,968

om: PULVERIZER Filed June 17, 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Josfpf/ C. mum/AM #Treff/MIK Patented Maiuz, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Il Claims.

The present invention relates generally to pulverizing machinery, and more particularly to gravity pulverizers for freeing ore from a carrying body.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ore pulverizer which is adapted to free ore from a carrying body by a series of crushing operations.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer which is adapted to remove `ore from a carrying body and to leave the free ore in fragments oi flattened slightly convexed coniigurations.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer 15a which includes a plurality of superposed pairs of v frusto-conical rollers adapted to crush ore from a carrying body and to leave the free ore in fiattened, slightly convexed fragments.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer of sectional construction whereby a large unit can be reduced to two or more smaller units.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer comprising a plurality of superposed pairs of frusto-conical rollers, one vertical series of which is spring-pressed into engagement with the other vertical series.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer which is sturdy in construction, readily and easily assembled or dismantled, and thoroughly efcient in operation..

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer which includes a plurality of superposed pairs of frusto-conical rollers, adjacent pairs of which are oppositely disposed to provide a gravity track from the uppermost pair of rollers to the lowermost pair of rollers for the material being crushed.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer which includes a plurality of superposed pairs of frusta-conical rollers, the uppermost pair of which is corrugated and the remaining pairs of which are smooth.

Another object is to provide an ore pulverizer having a frame of -opposed sections yieldingly pressed into cooperative disposition.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1` is an end elevation of an ore pulverizer constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, parts' being broken away for clarity;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the ore pulverizer shown in Fig. 1 turned through 180, parts being broken awayfor clarity;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the ore pulverizer shown in Fig 1;

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3;

Fig. '1 is a section on the line 'I--l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8-8 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 3.

Referring to the drawings more particularly by reference numerals, I0 indicates generally an ore pulverizer constructed as a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The pulverizer IU includes a lower section II, an upper section I2, and a feed mechanism I 3.

The lower section Il comprises two opposed halves I5 and I6. The section half I5 includes a frame Il (Fig. 7) comprising an end plate I8 and side plates I9 and 20. If preferred, top and bottom bracing members can replace the end plate I8 to tie the side plates I9 and 2l] together. Angle strips 2l and 22 connect the side plates I9 and 20, respectively, to the end plate I8. The angle strips 2| and 22 are of acute cross-section and are xed to the side plates I9 and 2E) by welding, or other means, and to the end plate I8 by rivets 23, or the like.

The side plate I9 has a large cut-away 25 (Fig. l) in one vertical edge and two spaced apertures 26, the top one of which is shown in Fig. 7. A lug 2I having a threaded aperture therethrough is fixed to the plate I9 adjacent the cut-away 25 and adjacent each of the apertures 26. Aper tured lugs 28 are xed to the plate I9 adjacent the Vertical edge having the cut-away 25. A pair of identical members 30 is fixed to a lower corner of the plate I9, one to each side, and extends angularly therefrom for a purpose to be described. A member 3| of the configuration of the members 30 is fixed to the plate I9 at an upper corner on the inwardly disposed side.

The plate 2i] has two large vertically disposed cut-aways (Fig. 2) in one edge, and an aperture 26 substantially centrally thereof. A lug 2l having a threaded aperture therethrough is fixed to the plate 20 adjacent each of the cutaways 25 and adjacent the aperture 26. Apertured lugs 28 are fixed to the plate 2i] adjacent the vertical edge having the cut-aways 25. A pair of identical members 3i] is iixed to a lower corner of the plate 2U, one to each side, and extends angularly therefrom for a purpose to be described. A member 3| of a configuration similar to the members 33 is fixed to the plate 20 at an upper corner on the inwardly disposed side.

The end plate I8 is out away art each of the four corners to provide room for the members and 3l.

A supporting leg 35 of a conguration shown in Figs. 1 and 3 is disposed between each pair of members 36, being maintained in position by an elongated bolt 36 and nut 3l.

The section haii I5 supports three vertically superposed frusto-conioal rollers 33, (lil, `and 4I in the identical relationship of fruslto-conical rollers '39', 4b', and 4I supported by the section half `I5 (Fig. 3). The rollers 39 and 4I have the small end adjacent the plate 29, whereas the roller 49 has the small end adjacent the plate I9. Each of the rollers 39, 49, and 4| is fixed to a shait 42 which is journaled adjacent each end of the respective roller in bearings 44 and 415 (Figs. 6 and 7).

Each of the bearings 44 is sup-ported by a cover plate 45 adjustably fixed .to one of the side plates |9 or 29 over a cut-away 25, each plate 46 being of a coniiguration shown in Figs. 1 and 7 to permit the small end of the roller .t0- extend through the associated cut-away 25. Each plate 49 is connected to the respective side plate i9 or 29 by bol-ts 41 which extend through slots 48 in the plate 49 .and through apertures in the respective side plate I9 or 29. A lug 49 is fixed to each plate 49 in opposed relation -t'o the associated lug 21 which is adapted to be contacted by one end of a .threaded member 59 threadedly engaging the lug 21.

Each of the bearings 45 is supported by a plate 54 adjustably fixed to one of the side plates I9 or 29 over an aperture 29, each plate 54 being shown of square conguration. Each plate 54 includes slots 59, .and a lug 55 adjacent one edge disposed in cooperative relation to the associated lug 21. Bolts 51 extend through the slots 59 and through apertures in the respective side plate I9 or 29 to maintain the plate 54 in adjustable relation with 'the respective supporting side plate I9 or 29. The lug 55 abuts the threaded member 59 threadedly engaging the lug 21.

The section half I9 is identical with the section half I5, with `the exception that the various elements thereof are disposed in opposed relation and, therefore, detailed description thereof is unnecessary.

The section halves |5 and I9 are disposed in abutting relation with the side plates I9 and 29 in engagement, as is clearly sho-wn in Figs. 1, 6, and 1. A bolt 99 extends through each opposed pair of lugs 28. A heavy helical spring 6| is disposed about the bolt 69 with one end resting against one of the lug-s 28 and the other end against a washer 92 which is maintained in a predetermined position by a pair of lock nuts 63. This heavy resilient connection permits limited separation of the section halves |15 and I6 during operation of the pulverizer I9.

rIhe upper section I2 comprises two opposed halves 65 and 99. The section halves 55 and 69 .are identical with the section halves I5 and I6, respectively, wi-th the exception that in each of the section halves 95 and 96 the members 3| are omitted, the lugs 28 are spaced further apart than the lugs 28 of the halves i5 and I6, and the upper rolle-r 69 or 99, respectively, is longitudinally corrugated or fluted and is supported by cover plates 46 (Fig. l) and 54 (Fig. 2) Whi-ch are of slightly larg-er dimensions .than the cover plates 45 and 54, necessitated by the increased diameter of the rollers 99 and 69 occasioned by 4the corrugations thereof. The section half 65 supports beneath the roller 99 rollers 69' and 61' and the section half 99 supports beneath the rollers 99 rollers 68 and 9.1. It is, therefore, unnecessary to further describe in `detail the elements of the section halves 9.5 .and 96, the elements thereof corresponding to .the elements of the section halves i5 and I6 being given the same reference numerals as are applied tothe section halves |5 and I6.

The upper section I2 is operatively superposed on the lower section II and is maintained there- 45 and has fixed thereto a pulley 15. The shaft 42 of the roller 61 extends beyond the bearing,r 45 and has iixed thereto two pulleys 16 and 11. Ihe shaft 42 of the roller 4| extends beyond the bearing 45 and has xed thereto two pulleys 18 and 19. The shaft 42 of the roller 49 extends beyond 'the bearing 45 and has x-ed thereto a. pulley 99. The shaft 42 of the roller 39 extends beyond the bearing 45 and has fixed thereto three pulleys 8 I, 82, and B3.

A continuous flexible belt 84 connects the pulley 83 to some source lof power, such as the driven shaft of a motor (not shown). A continuous flexible belt 85 connects the pulleys 13 and 82; -a continuous flexible belt 89 connects the ,pulleys 19 and 8|; a continuous flexible belt 91 connect-s the pulleys 15 and 18; a continuous flexible belt 99 connects the pulleys 14 and 16; and a continuous flexible belt 89 connects the pulleys 11 and 99.

The rollers of the right vertical series (Fig. 1) are also positively driven, power therefor being taken from a pulley (not shown) fixed to the end of the shaft 4.2 of the roller 6B adjacent the bearing 44.

The feed mechanism I9 is mounted on a top plate fixe-d to the upper section I2 and for-ming a cover therefor. A pair of spaced angle members 9.9 is iixed to the end plate I8 by rivets 91, .or the like, and are braced in spaced relation by an angle member 99. An angle member 99 (Figs. 3 and 9) is ixed to each angle member 99 at the free end thereof and right angularly thereto. A narrow plate member |99 is fixed to each of the angle members 99 towards the free end thereof in a position to parallel the angle members 99. The lower end of each of the plate members |99 is fixed to an angle member |9| which, in turn, is xed t-o the top plate 95.

A feed chute |92 is disposed between and partially supported by the plate members |99. The chute |92 includes end plates |93, one being attached by rivets |94, or the like, to each of the plate members |99, and side plates |95 of the cross-section shown in Fig. 1 to provide a sloping portion and neck portion of the chute |92. The side plates |95 are fixed to angle members |96 which are, in turn, xed to the top plate 95. Each of the side plates |95 has a slot |91 which extends transversely thereacross. A movable gate plate |98 is disposed against the outer surface of the sloping portion of each of the side plates |95 and extends adjustably through the slot |91. A lever ||9 (Fig. 3) is pivoted to each of the gate plates |98 at and is, in turn, fulcrumed at I2 (Fig. 4) on a bracket ||3 fixed to the respective end plate |03. Each lever ||9 has a slot |I4 (Fig. 3) therethrough to prevent binding of the gate plate |98 in its movement. Brackets ||5 maintain each gate plate |98 in sliding relation to the respective side plate |95. Brace plates ||9 fixed to the plate members |99 and the end plates |93 give added rigidity to the chute |92. A square frame lll supported by and between the plate members lil constructed of angle members is adapted to support a screen to be used for the purpose of screening the material passed into the pulverizer.

The belts and pulleys for positively driving the rollers 39, Ml, 4I, 61, 68, and 69 have been omitted for the purpose of clarity, the affected shafts 42 being shown broken 01T in Figs. l and 2. However, it is to be understood that the twelve rollers are positively driven, although in the crushing of certain materials it may be found advisable to drive only one vertical set of six rollers, in which case the belts can be readily removed from the other six rollers, which will result in an idler rotation of the said second set of rollers. Any relationship of the driving belts may be employed. Chains and sprockets, or other driving means, may be used.

The elements of the pulverizer Il) are constructed of material suitable to withstand the heavy usage to which the machine is necessarily put. The slope of the frusto-conical rollers may be varied to increase or decrease the gravity action. When set up for operation, a cover is disposed about the pulverizer I0 in order both to protect the machine and to prevent injury to an operator, or other person.

Operation The assembly of the pulverizer l0 is apparent from the foregoing detailed description. After the initial adjustments have been made to the pulverizer lil, material is introduced to the top pair of rollers 39 and 69 through the chute |02. When necessary, the material to be crushed is passed through a screen disposed in the frame l'l. The iiow of material into the pulverizer l@ is regulated by the gate plates |03.

As the rollers are power rotated, the material fed through the chute |02 is drawn between them in succession until it passes into some suitable receiving container or conveyor (not shown). An inspection of Fig. 3 clearly shows the gravity track provided by the disposition of the frustoconical rollers. The arrows A indicate the zigzag path of material passing through the rollers. The gravity movement of the material along succeeding paths of rollers effects a number of advantages which cannot be achieved by cylindrical rollers. The material is prevented from piling at any one point between a pair of rollers, since the gravity path tends to move the material along the pair of rollers to insure that the crushing operation be done by the full surfaces thereof. Further, the resultant diagonal or spiral passage of material between the frustoconical rollers produces attened fragments of convex configuration which is desirable in that it assists in the carrying on of subsequent treatments. The use of the longitudinally corrugated or fluted rollers 69 and E9' to initially receive material to be crushed affords a positive reception for the material in its larger proportions. The present pulverizer does not grind in the sense of prior machines, but crushes the ore from the carrying medium by a direct application of spirally applied pressure.

The resiliently joined section halves |5, i6 and 65, i prevent breakage of the working parts of the pulverizer I0, inasmuch as the sections give outwardly a predetermined amount when non-rushable objects are placed between a pair of rollers. The adjustable cover plates 46, 46',

54, and 54 permit continued use or rollers after wear, and permit selected spacing of the rollers of a pair to receive for crushing fragments of varying sizes.

Experience has proved that six pairs of rollers is the ideal number for eiectively crushing a variety of ore-bearing materials to remove the ore therefrom. However, the pulverizer l0 is constructed sectionally so that in any operations not requiring such thoroughness of crushing as is contemplated for the complete machine, the upper section l2 can be removed from the lower section Il, legs attached thereto, and a feed mechanism attached to the lower section to provide two pulverizers of three pairs of rollers each.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings have been given by way of illustration and example and not for purposes of limitation, the invention being limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is: y

1. An ore pulverizer comprising a plurality of pairs of superposed frusto-conical rollers, the rollers of each pair having the small ends and the large ends, respectively, in adjacent relationship, the small ends of any one pair of rollers being disposed over the large ends of the pair of rollers directly beneath and the large ends of said any one pair of rollers being disposed over the small ends of the said pair of rollers directly beneath, and means supporting said rollers.

2. An ore pulverizer comprising a plurality of pairs of superposed frusto-conical rollers, the uppermost pair of rollers being longitudinally corrugated and the remaining pairs of rollers being smooth, the rollers of each pair having the small ends and the large ends, respectively, in adjacent relationship, the small ends of any one pair of rollers being disposed over the large ends of the pair of rollers directly beneath and the `large ends of said any one pair of rollers being disposed over the small ends of the said pair of rollers directly beneath, and means supporting said rollers.

3. An ore pulverizer comprising a frame, a plurality of pairs of superposed frusto-conical rollers supported within the frame, the rollers of each pair having the small ends and the large ends, respectively, in adjacent relationship, the

small ends of any one pair of rollers being disposed over the large ends of the pair of rollers directly beneath and the large ends of said any one pair of rollers being disposed over the small ends of the said pair of rollers directly beneath, and an adjustable feed mechanism supported on the frame.

4. An ore pulverizer comprising a frame, a plurality of superposed pairs of frusto-conical rollers supported by said frame, the axes of the rollers of each pair of rollers lying in a horizontal plane, and means for rotating said rollers of each pair towards each other, the rollers of each pair of said rollers being disposed with the small ends and the large ends, respectively, in adjacent relationship to provide a segmental sloping path for materia] being crushed, said segmental sloping path of each pair of rollers being determined by the decrease in radius of the rollers from the large ends to the small ends, whereby ore is 70 crushed into flattened convex fragments.

JOSEPH C. THURMAN. 

